PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- In his first time throwing against live batters since July 30, Bobby Parnell faced Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Eric Young. And had to avoid a broken bat that landed near the mound.

But, in all, it was a good day for the Mets closer. He said he felt fine afterward, with no pain or soreness. Parnell missed the final two months of last season and had surgery for a herniated disk in September.

"I’ve been looking forward to it for several weeks now," he said. "I knew it was coming up. It’s always different from your bullpens to seeing hitters in there. Your blood gets going a little bit."

To get on the mound was a big deal for Parnell.

“I’ve been taking a lot of baby steps," he said. :I feel great, my arm feels good, neck feels good. Everything’s going well. But as far as today, this feels like a big mental hurdle. I didn’t know how I would react to balls coming off the bat and I felt strong out there. I felt good and felt like I had some reaction in the neck, so everything’s good.”

Parnell was also bothered by a quad injury last month. He said he is still hampered by it but it only limits his running, not throwing. He has been going three-quarters speed.

His next step, he said, is to throw another bullpen session, and then likely in a game by next weekend.

He is still on track to be ready for Opening Day.

The Mets' plan is for Parnell, Jon Niese, and Bartolo Colon (calf tightness) to throw in a 'B' game Thursday.

Niese threw today for the first time since returning from New York, where he had an MRI on his shoulder. The results came back clean.

Jenrry Mejia and Dillon Gee will start the Mets' split squad games Wednesday.